Sleep disorders and posttraumatic stress in raped victims

Abstract

Objective. To determine sleep disorders and posttraumaticstress symptoms in a group of raped female victims and to assessthe causal influence by a survey of the association betweenexposed and unexposed groups and compare those events.Materials and methods. Prospective matched double cohortstudy. Sample of raped women selected according to inclusionand exclusion criteria, which went to a Forensic MedicineInstitute. A group of non-exposed women matched by age,gender, socioeconomic status, location, timing, and statuswas selected. We applied the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale.Results. Data distribution was not normal. Size, weight,and BMI were similar in both groups. We found statisticallysignificant differences in the total score of the sleep qualityvariables, subjective quality, efficiency and sleep disturbances,awakening early in the morning, not breathing, coughing orsnoring, feeling too cold, feeling too hot, nightmares, useof hypnotics, daytime dysfunction and posttraumatic stresssymptoms.Conclusions. The presence of sleep disorders and posttraumaticstress symptoms in victims of rape are significant comparedwith a matched group of non-raped women in Bogotá.